Mixing device



N. GRUBELIC MIXING DEVICE 1s Sheets-sheaf; 2

Filed July 24, 1947 Oct. 17,1950 N. GRUBELlC 2,526,351

' MIXING DEVICE 7 Filed July- 24, 1947 e Sheets-Sheet :s

A lNl/E/ViTOR NICHOI. AS GRUBEL IC N. M-GRLIQELIC MIXING DEVICE 6 [Sliegt's-Sheefi 4 ,Filed July 24, 1947 //v VEN TOR N/C H01. AS GRUBEL /C an 2 1' A'T TOR/VE y N. GRUBELIC Oct. 17, 19 50 MIXING DEVI CE s sneets-sheet 6 Filed July '24, 1947 //V l E N TOR K m. w G S M. O H m A TTOR/VEV Patented Oct. 17, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MIXING DEVICE Nicholas Grubelic, WillistonPark, N. Y. Application July 2 1947, Serial No. 763,298

1 16 Claims.

. 1 This invention relates to mixing devices. It is particularly directed to a device for mixing or stirring liquid such as paint in 'a plurality of receptacles or cans simultaneously and for pouring liquid from any one selected receptacle.

An object of this invention'is toprovide a device of the character described comprising means to support a plurality of parallel paint cans, a stirrer in each can, means for simultaneously rotating each stirrer about 'its axis, and means'for moving any selected can to an initial position, in which position the can may be tilted for pouring pai'nt'ther'efrom.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide in' a device of the character described, a stand, a member rotatably mounted thereon, a

plurality of turrets mounted for rotation on said member, a plurality of cans on each turret, a stirrer in each can and motive means for simultaneouslyrotating 'all of said stirrers.-

Yet another object of this invention is to provides. machine of the character described, so

constructed that the member which supports the turret may 'be rotated on the stand and each turret m'ay'be rotated about its axis on said w member, whereby to'bring anyselected can to a predetermined position relative to the stand infwhi'ch position the can' may be tilted for t pouring therefrom; v w

Still a further object of this invention is to for rotating the gear, whereby to rotate all of said stirrers about their respectiveaxes.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character described in which each paint can may be tilted for pouring together with its stirrer, and releasable resilient means for-retaining the pinion on each stirrer in engagement with the gear on said turret.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of. the character described, releasable means to retain each turret against rotation so as to hold the turret still while one of the cans thereon is being'tilted for pouring. I

A'still further object of this invention is to provide in a mach ne of the character described, a stand, a rotary plate thereon, a plurality of parallel turrets mounted for rotation on said plate about parallel axes equally spaced from the axis of the plate, a plurality of cans mounted on each turret, and equally spaced from the axis 2 of said turret, a stirrer within each can, cans mounted on said plate and between said turrets, a stirrer in the can between the turrets and means for simultaneously rotating the stirrers in all of the cans. I

' Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the'character described, in which the rotary plate may be rotated to bring any of the cans between the turrets to an initial position relative to the stand, and the turrets maybe rotated about their axes, to bring any cans on the turrets to said initial position. w

Yet another object of this invention is to pro-' vide a strong, rugged and durable machine of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, which shall be easy to assemble in which the cans may be readily removed and replaced, and'which shall 'yet 'be practical and efiicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in partbe obvious and'in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the'features of construction, combinations of elements,- and arrangement of parts which will be exem plified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

a In the accompanying drawing, in which is" show'r'ione of the various possible illustrative embodiments of the invention,

' Fig. l is aside elevational view of a machine embodying the invention with parts broken away and in cross-section;

' Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine with parts broken away and in cross-section;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig; 4 is a top plan view of one of the turrets with parts broken away and in cross-section;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the turret with other parts broken away and in cross-section;

Fig. 6 is a partial elevational view showing one of the cans and the mountingtherefor;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the can partially tilted; and

- Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 2.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, l0 designates a machine embodying the invention. the'same com-prises a stand I I having vertical legs l2 and a top plate l3. The legs [2 may be interconnected by'bracing I4. Below the table top I3 is a horizontal bracket l5 supported by the legs 12. On the center of the bracket I5 is thru t bearing [6 supporting a vertical shaft H which extends up above the top wall Hi. The top wall I3 is formed with an opening l8 through which the shaft l1 passes. Attached to the underside of the top wall I3 is a bearing IS in which the shaft I1 is journalled. Attached to the lower end of shaft H is a, pulley wheel 26. Mounted on the bracket |5 is an electric motor 2| connected through suitable reducing gearing to an output shaft 22. On shaft 22 is a pulley 23 connected by a belt 24 to the pulley 28; Fixed to shaft l1 and above the table top I3 is a pulley 26 for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Rotatably mounted on stand H is a. rotary plate 28 disposed at a level above pulley Attached to the underside of plate 28 are casters 29 supporting wheels 38 contacting the upper surface of the topwall I3. Plate 28 is formed with an openin through which the shaft passes, and is provided with a bushing" 3| in which the shaft I! is journalled. At the upper end of shaft. IT is a circular plate 32.ofsmaller diameter than the plate 28. Shaft [1 passes through the center opening in plate 22. Attached to the upper end of shaft I1 is cap 33. Mounted for rotation on plates 28, 32 are a plurality ofturrets. '1 4such turrets being shown for the purpose of illustration. Each tu'rret comprises a vertical shaft 34 passing through openings. in saidplates. Fixed to the lower end of each shaft 34 is a pulley 35 aligned withpu1- ley 26. Fixed to each shaft 34 and disposedbelow plate 32 is agear 36. On. each. shaft 34 andv disposed above plate 28 is a bushing 37. Mounted. on each bushing 3'! isv a rotary plate 38. having an. opening through which shaft 34 passes. Also mounted for rotation on each shaft 34, is a plate 40 disposed above the gear 36, for the purpose: hereinafter appearing.

The plates 46 and 38' are circular. 'Plate. 40 is formed with equiangularly spaced radial notches 4| at the periphery thereof. Plate 38 is-furthermoreformed at. the periphery thereof with equiangularly spaced cut outs 42 aligned with the notches 4|. lel edges 43 extending to the peripheral edge 44. of plate 38, and a straight edge 45intercon-- necting the inner ends of edges 43.

aligned with edge 45 of the cutout; It is also formed with a pair of upstanding parallel projections 48,. the inner sides of which are flush with the edges 43. The projections 48 are formed with aligned U-shaped notches 49- opening upwardly for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Mounted for tilting on each bracket 46' is a plate 58 formed with a pair of pintles 5| received in the notches 4-9. The pintles 5| are in alignment and are in a line offset from the axis of plate. 56. Plate 56 is formed with a pair of diametrically disposed notched lugs 53. A line interconnecting the lugs 53 is parallel to a line interconnecting the pintles 5|.

It will be noted that plate 56rests onbracket 46, but may beswivelled about the pintles 5|. The notch or cut out 42 permits the plate 58 to betilted-ina counterclockwise direction, looking. at Fig. 6 of.the'drawing,-,. tobring said plate from theposition shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. '7. Plate 5ll=may be formed with an; annular upstanding. flange 52, for the pur- Each cut out-42 has paral for the can 53 is removed prior to putting the can on the machine. Replacing the cover is a closure disc 54 provided with a pouring valve 55, more fully disclosed in my abandoned ap plication, Serial No. 789,222, filed December 2, 1947. The closure member 54 is formed with a through opening, through which extends a shaft 56. Attached to the shaft and within the can is a stirring blade 51. On the closure disc 54 are a pair of. diametrical lugs 58 interconnected to lugs 53 by a pair of connecting rods 59. Fixed to the upper end of the shaft 56 is a pinion 51a in engagement with gear 36. By lifting the catch 6|, the upper end of shaft 56 is released and the can 53 may be tilted about the pintles 5| so'that paint may be poured from the spout 62.

Between each pair of adjacent turrets there is rotatably mounted a vertical shaft 10. Shaft 10. passes through suitable openings in plates 28 and 32. Above plate 28 is a bushing 1| through which. each shaft 10 passes. Attached to the lower end of each shaft 10 is a pulley 12, in alignment with the pulleys 35 and 26. Mounted on bushing H is a bracket 15, through which the shaft 1|) passes. Mounted on bracket 15 is a plate 46 similar to the plate 46, described hereinabove. Swivelled in the notches 49 of the lugs 48- of said plate 46 is a can 53 mounted on a plate and closed by the closure disc 54 and provided with a central shaft 56 passing through the closure disc and carrying the pinion 51a.

Attached to plate 32 is a topbracket 11 extending beyond the'periphery of said plate. The shaft 10 passes throughbracket TI and the top plate 32. Fixed to the shaft 10 is a pinion adapted to mesh with the last mentioned pinion 51a; Bracket TI is formed with a notch 8| to receive the upper end of shaft 56. Fixed to the top of bracket TI is a spring 83 similar to spring (ill-and having a catch 84 at its outer end adapted to releasably engage the upper end of said shaft-56 when the. spring catch is released. The can may be tilted aboutits pintles 5|.

It will now be understood that the shafts 10 are spaced apart degrees from each other and are spaced apart 45 degrees from the. shafts 34. The plate 28 may be rotated to bring any one of the cans between the turrets to aninitialposition relative to the base or stand so that paint may be poured therefrom.

Means is provided to retain each turret against rotation with each of the cans thereon in pouring position. To this end there is mounted on plate 28 and adjacent each turret- T, a pivot bracket 90. Pivoted thereto is one end of a lever 94. Gneach lever 9| is an upstanding pin 92. Interposed between the lever 9| and plate 28 is a'coil compression spring 93- Plate 28 and lever 9| may be provided with guide lugs projecting into opposite ends of the spring. Each turret plate 36 is formed with a hole or opening 95 adjacent each can and adapted to receive pin 92. When the lever 9| is depressed, pin 92 moves below opening 95 to permit rotation of turret plate 33. The lever 9| for each turret and the openings 95 for the turret are so positioned that plate 38 may be stopped in one of four positions and in each position one can will be in pouring position where it may be tilted.

Rotatably mounted on the underside of plate 28 is an idler pulley 91. Disposed about the pulleys 91, 35 and 26, is a belt 98. When the j motor 2.! is running, belt 24 pushes pulley 26 which, due to the connection of the belt 98, rotates shafts 34 and 10 simultaneously in opposite directions, that is, all the shafts 34 rotate in one directionand all the shafts H3 rotate in an opposite directon. Plate 28 may be rotated by hand to bring any desired turret to a base position relative to the stand. Furthermore, each turret may be rotated. by hand to bring any desired can to a position relative to the stand. The motor serves to cause rotation of the stirrers for all the paint cans simultaneous- 1y.

While mention is made of paint cans, it is understood that any suitable receptacle containing any liquid or material to be stirred is meant where the term paint can is used. 1 It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is Well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1'. In combination, a stand, a member rotatably mounted on the stand about its axis, a plurality of turrets mounted for rotation on said memberabout axes parallel to the axis of said member and equally spaced therefrom, a plurality of receptacles mounted on each turret on axes parallel to the axis'of said turret and equally spaced therefrom, a stirrer within each receptacle at the axis of said receptacle, and means for simultaneously rotating said member about its axis, and the stirrers in all of said turrets about their axes. I

2. In combination, a stand, a member rotatably mounted on the stand about its axis, a plurality of turrets mounted for rotation on said member, a plurality of receptacles mounted on each turret, a stirrer within each receptacle, means for simultaneously rotating the stirrers in all of said turrets, and means to retain each turret against rotation in any one of a plurality of positions relative to said member.

3, In combination, a stand, a member rotatably mounted on the stand about its axis, a,

plurality of turrets mounted for rotation on said member, a plurality of receptacles mounted each turret, a stirrer within each receptacle,

means for simultaneously rotating the stirrers in all of said turrets, means to retain" each turret' against rotation in any one of a plurality of positions relative to saidmember, and means to mount each of said receptacles for tilting on its turret together'with its stirrer.

1 4. In combination, a stand, a member rotatably mounted" on the stand about its axis, a plurality of turrets mounted for rotation 0n said member, a plurality of receptacles mounted on each turret, a stirrer within each receptacle, meansfor simultaneously rotating the stirrers in all of said turrets'means to retain each turret against rotation in any one of a plurality of positions relative to said member means to mount each of said receptacles for tilting on its turret together with its stirrer, and means to retain said receptacle and stirrers on said turret in upright position.

3 5. A machine'of the character described comprising a rotary member, a plurality of turrets mounted for rotation on saidmeinber about axes equiangularly positioned, one with respect to the other and equally distant from the axis of rotation of said member, a plurality of -receptacles in each turret equiangularly distant from each other on the turret and equally distant from the axis of rotation of said turret, a stirrer within each receptacle, and means for simultaneously rotating the stirrers in the receptacles of all the turrets.

6. A machine of the character described comprising a rotary member, a plurality of turrets mounted for rotation on said member about axes equiangularly positioned, one with respect to the other and equally distant from the axis of rotation of said member, a plurality of re ceptacles in each turret equiangularly distant from each other on the turret and equally distant from the axis of rotation of said turret, a stirrer within each receptacle, means for simultaneously rotating the stirrers in the receptacles of all the turrets, a receptacle mounted on said member between each pair of adjacent turrets, a stirrer in each of the last mentioned receptacles, and means for rotating the stirrers in said last mentioned receptacles simultaneously with rotation of the stirrers in the receptacles on the turrets. a

'7. A machine of the character described come prising a rotary member, a plurality of turrets mounted for rotation'on saidmember about axes equiangularly positioned, one with respect to the other and equally distant from the axis of rotation of said member, a plurality of re ceptacles on each turret'equiangularly distant from each other on the turret and equally distant from the axis of rotation of said turret, a stirrer within each receptacle, means for simultaneously rotating the stirrers in the receptacles of allthe turrets, a receptacle mounted on said member between each pair of adjacent turrets, a stirrer in each of the last mentioned'rcceptacles, means for rotating the stirrers in said last mentioned receptacles simultaneously with rotation of-the stirrers in the receptacles on the turrets, and means to mount each receptacle for tilting move-:

ment.

8. A machine of the character described com: prising a stand, a vertical central shaft'rotatably mounted thereon, means to rotate'said cen tral shaft, said stand having a top wall, a plate disposed above said top wall, Wheels: on the I underside of the plate contacting the top wall", said shaft passing through said plate, whereby said plate may be rotated about the axis of said shaft, a top plate parallel tothe first mentioned plate and spaced thereabove and rotatable there-. with, a plurality of vertical shafts passing through said plates, a turret on each vertical shaft and comprising a gear fixed to said vertical shaft, top' and bottom turret plates through which said vertical shaft passes, receptacles mounted on the bottom turret plates. for tilting movement, a stirrer rotatably mounted within each receptacle, a pinion on each stirrer meshing with said gear, and means on the top turret plates to releasably engage the upper end of each stirrer to retain the stirrer in upright position.

9. A machine of the character described comprising a stand, a vertical central shaft rotat-f ably mounted thereon, means to rotate said central shaft, said stand having a top WalL a *plate disposed above said top wall, wheelson amass-1 wall, said shaft passing through said plate, whereby said platemay be rotated about the axis of said shaft, a top plate parallel to the first" mentioned plate and spaced thereabove and rotatable therewith, a plurality of vertical shafts passing through. said plates, a turret on each vertical. shaft. andcomprising a gear fixed tosaid vertical. shaft, top and bottom turret plates through. which said vertical, shaft passes, receptaclesi mounted: on the bottom turret plates for tilting movement, a stirrer rotatably mounted within. each receptacle, a pinion on each stirrer meshing with said gear, means on the top turret plates to releasably engage the upper end of each. stirrer to retain the stirrer in upright position, and means connected to the central shaft for rotation of all of said vertical shafts;

10. A machine of. the character described comprising a stand, a vertical central shaft rotatably mounted thereon, means to rotate said central shaft, said stand having a top wall, a plate disposed above said top wall, wheels on the underside of the plate contacting the top wall, said. shaft passing through said plate, whereby said plate may be rotated about the axis of said shaft, a top plate parallel to the first'mentioned plate and. spaced thereabove and: rotatable'therewith, a plurality of vertical shafts passing through said plates, a turret on each vertical shaft and comprising a gear fixed to said vertical shaft, top and bottom turret plates through which said vertical shaft passes, receptacles mounted. on the bottom turret plates for tilting movement; a stirrer rotatably mounted within each: receptacle, a; pinion on each stirrer meshingwith said gear, means on the top turret plates to releasably engage the upper'end of each stirrer to retain. the stirrer in upright position,v and means connected to the central shaft for rotationof all of said vertical shafts, a vertical shaft passing through said top and bottom plates and between each pair of adjacent turrets, a gear thereon, and means connected to said central shaft for rotating said last mentioned vertical shaft, and a receptacle mounted for tilting movement and. provided. withla stirrer having. a pinion meshing with said last mentioned gear.

11. A machine of the character described comprising a stand, a vertical central shaft rotatably mounted. thereon, means to rotate said central shaft, said stand having a top Wall, a plate disposed above said top wall, wheels. on the underside of the plate contacting the top wall, said shaft passing through said plate, whereby said plate may be rotated about the axis of said shaft, a top plate parallel to the first mentioned plate and spaced thereabove and rotatable therewith, a plurality of vertical shafts passing through said plates, a turret on each vertical shaft and comprising a gear fixed to said vertical shaft, top and bottom turret plates through which said vertical shaft passes, receptacles mounted on the bottom turret plates for tilting movement, a stirrer rotatably mounted within each receptacle, a pinion on each stirrer meshing with said gear, means on the top turret plates to releasably engage the upper end of each stirrer to retain the stirrer in upright position, means; connected to. the central shaft for rotation. of all of said vertical shafts, each bottom turret plate being formed with an opening adjacent each receptacle, and means mounted on the bottom frame plate adapted to engage in each. of said, openings to retain each turret against rotation in a plurality. of predetermined positions.

12. A device of the character described com.- prising a turret having bottom and top plates, a vertical shaft extending therethrough, a plurality of receptacles mounted for tilting'movement on the bottom turret plate, a stirrer in each receptacle, a gear on said shaft, a pinion on each stirrer adapted to mesh with said gear, the top turret plate being formed with peripheral notches to receive the upper ends of the stirrers, and spring catches on the top turret plate to releasably and resiliently engage the upper ends of said stirrers to retain said stirrers in upright position.

13. A device of the character described. comprising a turret having bottom and top plates, a vertical shaft extending therethrough, a plurality of receptacles mounted for tilting movement on the bottom turret plate, a stirrer in each receptacle, a gear on saidshaft, a pinion on each stirrer adapted to mesh with said gear, the top turret plate being formed with peripheral notches to receive the upper ends of the stirrers, and spring catches on the top turret plate to releasably and resiliently engage the upper ends of said stirrers to retain said stirrers in upright position, said bottom turret plate being formed with a plurality of openings, and means selectively engageable in said openingsto retain said turret in a plurality of predetermined. angular positions.

14. In combination, astand, a member mounted on the stand for rotation about the axis of said member, a plurality of turretsmounted on said member for rotation about the axes of said turrets, the axes of said turrets being parallel to the axis of said member and equally spaced therefrom, a receptacle mounted oneach turret for pivotal movement about an axis at right angles to the axis of said turret, a stirrer within each receptacle, a shaft at the axis of each turret, means on the shaft of each turret-for rotating the stirrer of the receptacle mounted on said turret, when said receptacle is in'a position parallel to said shaft, and means for simultaneously rotating all of said shafts.

15. A device of the character described comprising a turret having bottom and top plates, a vertical shaft extending therethrough, a plurality of receptacles. mounted for. tilting movement on the bottom turret plate, a. stirrer in each receptacle, means on the shaft to rotate said stirrers, the top turret plate being formed with peripheral notches to receive the upper ends of the stirrers and spring catches on the top turret plate to releasably and resiliently engage the upper ends of said stirrers to retain said stirrers in upright position.v

16. In combination, a vertical shaft, a turret mounted for rotation about said shaft, said turret comprising a bottom member, means to rotate said shaft, a plurality of. receptacles on said bottom member, the axes of said receptacles, when said receptacles are in upright position, being parallel to said shaft and equally spaced therefrom, each receptacle being provided with a horizontal axle, a support for each receptacle, said supports being attached. to, said bottom member, each. support. having aligned notches, opening upwardly to receive the axle of one ofsaid receptacles, whereby to pivotally mount said receptacles onsaid bottom member and yet permit said receptacles to be lifted off said member, the pivotal axes for saidreceptaclesbeingtangent S? to a common circle, the axis of which is the axis of said shaft, an axial stirrer in each receptacle and extending upwardly therefrom, drive means on said shaft and drive means on each stirrer adapted to engage the drive means on said shaft when said stirrer is in upright position for rotating the stirrer when said shaft rotates, a top member fixed to the bottom member and disposed above said receptacles, said top member being formed with peripheral notches to receive the upper ends of the stirrers, and spring catches on the top member to releasably and resiliently engage the upper ends of said stirrers to retain said stirrers in upright position, while permitting said stirrers to rotate in upright position.

NICHOLAS GRUBELIC.

i o A REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Foltz July 15, 1947 

